The Vatican has announced a star-studded lineup of musicians and artists for its pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, titled "The Ear Is the Eye of the Soul." Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers in collaboration with Soundwalk Collective, the exhibition features commissioned sound works from figures including Brian Eno, FKA Twigs, Patti Smith, and the late Alexander Kluge. The project is inspired by the 12th-century mystic Saint Hildegard of Bingen and will be staged across two historic Venetian locations: the Mystical Garden of the Discalced Carmelites and the Complesso di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice.
This ambitious presentation signals the Holy See's continued commitment to contemporary art following its critically acclaimed 2024 pavilion at a women's prison. By focusing on "sonic prayer" and the act of listening, the pavilion responds to the broader Biennale theme of slowing down and resisting algorithmic predictability. The inclusion of high-profile cross-disciplinary figures like Jim Jarmusch and Devonté Hynes alongside visual artists like Otobong Nkanga highlights a growing institutional interest in immersive, multi-sensory experiences that bridge the gap between contemporary music and fine art.